In 2015 the Steed Cycles Race Team set out to add some up and coming females to its roster. For the past few seasons Kelly Jones and Carey Mark had flown the flag. The injection of new talent inspired the Team to take race wins, championships and clean up on the Podium at Provincials. Below is some of the highlights of the year from all our riders.

Natasha Cowie:

Lowlights: A path of destruction through all of the course tape that I encountered (apologies to everyone who had to repair tape in my wake) and missed cross races due to a rib injury from coughing too much, or as I prefer to call it, “fighting with a mountain lion”

Highlights: The view from the top of the NIMBY climb, a successful chase in 38 degree heat at XC provincials, a double header in rain and sunshine at the UCI Seattle Cup, and the unflagging energy and enthusiasm of my teammates

Thanks to all of our sponsors and the many people who have supported us in every way. And a special shout out to the race organizers, volunteers, and spectators who make this whole thing possible.

XC MTB

Sunshine Coaster – 7th

Orecrusher – 6th

NIMBY 50 – 12th

Test of Metal – 15th

BC Cup XC Championships – 3rd Elite Women

GearJammer – 3rd

JABR – 4th

CX

VCCX Fort Langley Classic – 3rd

COTR Pro City Grand Prix – 3rd

Pumpkin Cross – 4th

COTR Kona Kup – 5th

COTR My Little Pony Cross – 3rd

UCI Subaru Cyclo Cup – 19th and 18th

JunkYard Cross – 2nd

BC Cup CX Championships – 4th Elite Women

VCCX b Team Superprestige – 3rd

Photo credit:

BC Cup – Matt Lazzarotto

Test of Metal – Grant Bruce, Highshot Photography

Junkyard – Scott Robarts

Natalia Mulekova:

To say that my cycling results this year exceeded my expectations is to say nothing. I bought my first cyclocross bike at the end of 2014 and my first mountain bike in the early 2015. I
owned a road bike for a few years, but rode it leisurely and never expected bike racing to become an item I would commonly put on my calendar. The only goal I had at the beginning
of 2015 is to try out some of the local bike races that back then seemed mighty intimidating to even consider signing up for. I had to start from level “0” to develop cycling skills and
techniques that seem so obvious now: starting from proper cornering on a road bike to ‘wheelies’ on a mountain bike. Looking back at 2015, I recall a few moments which made me
realize that the best part of racing this year were not the results, but the experience of joining an amazing team. A special moment came when nearly entire Steed team came to cheer and
support me in the Gastown Gran Prix race. Do I have to mention that just to come to the start line of this race was a daring experience for me? The guys must have sensed I needed
support. A similar moment came at the finale of the cyclocross season when at the start line of provincial championships Steed elite women’s squad ‘outnumbered’ their competitors from
other teams. I thought to myself this was the moment worth waiting all year for, a chance to have fun on the bike with so many of my friends that I am lucky to call my teammates.

My goal this year was to be able to race for fun, fitness and to be a role model for my two very active kids.

Results:

Sept 20/2015 Burnaby Foreshore, Burnaby 5th intermediate women

Sept 27/2015 Whistler CX, Blackcomb DNF

Oct 4/2015 Vanier Park, Vancouver 3rd master women

Oct 10/2015 Queens Cross, New Westminster 1st intermediate women

Oct 18/2015 Mahon Park, North Vancouver 2nd intermediate women

Oct 25/2015 Castle Cross, Coquitlam 2nd intermediate women

Nov 22/2015 Junkyard Cross, Surrey 2nd intermediate women

Nov 1/2015 Pumpkin Cross, Maple Ridge 2nd intermediate women

Nov 29/2015 BC Championships Squamish BC 3rd master women

Photo Credits:

Photo 1 at the BC Championships was take by Shawn Pettersen,

Photo 2 I’m unsure of (a photographer at the Squamish Championships)

Photo 3, Natalia Mulekova

Kelly Jones:

My 2015 season kicked off in May 2015 with Trans Portugal, an epic mountain bike race. It crossed the entire length of Portugal in 8 days from north to south, finishing in Sagres – the southernmost west point of Europe. The race distance was 1023km with a total elevation of 18,309m. The longest day was 171km and the shortest day 95km. Trans Portugal was an incredible race in every aspect. Everyone I interacted with was exceptional from fellow racers to support staff. Without the encouragement and good company of old and new friends, I would not have made it through.
Every day that I made it to the finish line was a victory in itself. I always thought I was tough, but this race was truly epic. It was definitely a worthwhile experience and you would never see a country as we did from behind a bicycle.

The 2015 season was unusual after competing in Trans Portugal. I had no idea the toll that a race of that

magnitude would have on my body. It was slow to start, but I managed to pull together a good final race at BC

Provincial Championships in Squamish. I was so proud of the entire Steed team, but especially proud of all of

the Steed women. After 14 years of competitive cyclocross, my greatest joy is seeing how other people get so

much out of a sport I have loved for so many years.

I look forward to 2016.

Elite Results:

Highlight: BC CX Champs – 3rd place and on the podium with my teammates

Vanier Park – 7th

Mahon – 5th

Castle Cross – 3rd

Pumpkin Cross – 6th

Valley Cross – 2nd

Ronde Van Hogwarts – 8th

Junkyard Dog XC – 2nd

BC CX Champs – 3rd

Brodie Team Super Prestige – 4th

Carey Mark:

2015 was a PB year for me. With many personal highlights including, my continued support from Steed Cycles. I enjoyed participating in some new as well as tried and true events. Mixing my XC Mtb races with some new enduro events and some cross country running for a fun endurance training challenge.
A few highlights included a PB, category win for the Test of Metal and Nimby 50. I held my reign for the Cross on the Rock Cyclocross Series. I placed first overall elite woman win at the Cumberland Marathon, Cumberland 12hour (team of two), and Fletcher’s challenge (15k trail race). I also trained for my first 50km trail race­ placing 1st in category and fourth overall woman at Squamish 50.
Finally, in addition to being a proud Steeds Cycling team member, I joined Juliana Bicycles as an Ambassador.

Mountain Biking 2015:

Member of Steed Cycles Race Team
Member of Juliana Bicycles Ambassador Team